Mas De La Coste

In the Gard department of southern France, only 12km from the beautiful town of Uzès, Mas de la Coste is on the edge of a quiet village with wonderful views and idyllic sun sets. Around the village are landscapes of fields, vineyards and distant mountains.

Strolling past neighbouring houses and countryside (no pavement), you can reach the heart of the village in just over a 10-minute walk, home to a pretty church, attractive houses and shady trees. Next to the mairie, a café-bistro is open for lunch and some evening meals (closed certain days, depending on the time of year).

There are further restaurants and a supermarket in Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie (8.5km), a characterful little town known for its ceramics and a joy to explore – there are around 40 workshops alongside little art galleries and boutiques. The interesting Musée de la Poterie Méditerranéenne is worth a visit, housed inside a 16th century oil mill. The European Ceramic Art Festival, Terralha, takes place annually in July.

Medieval Uzès is an exquisite town to spend time in, especially on a Wednesday and Saturday morning when the market takes place beneath the plane trees on historic Place aux Herbes. Delicious seasonal products to look out for include olive oil, olives, asparagus, honey, chestnuts, sweet onions, Pélardon goat’s cheese from the Cévennes and even rice from the Camargue. Discover elegant restaurants in the historic centre alongside atmospheric pavement cafes in picturesque surroundings.

Wine connoisseurs will be keen to visit local wineries around Úzes as well as Côtes-du-Rhône vineyards near Laudun-l'Ardoise (16km), Lirac (20km) and Tavel (17km). Crossing over the Rhône, Châteauneuf-du-Pape (35km) is also a short distance away, located between historic Orange and Avignon.

Of course, Avignon (33km) is another great day out with its two UNESCO World Heritage sites, Le Pont d’Avignon and Le Palais des Papes. Meanwhile, antique lovers will adore Villeneuve-lès-Avignon (32km) which hosts one of the most famous weekly brocantes in southern France.

Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Le Pont du Gard (18km) is a must for canoeing/kayaking enthusiasts or simply enjoy a picnic and paddle by the riverside in this magnificent setting. Roman history enthusiasts should also consider spending the day in the city of Nîmes (37km) visiting the exceptionally preserved monuments such as Maison Carrée and Arènes de Nîmes.

Read more about Uzes

The beautiful market town of Uzès is somewhat of a secret gem in southern France. Staying close to Uzès allows you to embrace the region’s traditional ambience, rich heritage, artistic vibe and wonderful cuisine, not to mention the idyllic surroundings of medieval villages, forests, olive groves and Côte du Rhône vineyards.

There’s no better place to start off than Place aux Herbes in the heart of Uzès with its café and restaurant terraces, shady plane trees and historic ambience – it is said to be one of the most beautiful squares in southern France. It is also home to a fantastic market on a Wednesday and Saturday morning when traders take over Uzès’ iconic main square to showcase a wealth of delightful products. This is the perfect opportunity to buy specialities of the region – look out for pélardon goats cheese from the mountains, Cévennes honey, sweet onions, local olive oil, cod brandade de Nîmes, Camargue rice as well as so many seasonal fruit and vegetables. The market on Place aux Herbes dates back to the 13th century.

Uzès is also so loved for its historic lanes, elegant architecture, art galleries, inviting shops and excellent restaurants. Admire Cathédrale Saint-Théodorit d'Uzès and its unique round bell tower, visit the impressive Duché d’Uzès, then climb to the top of the medieval garden’s Tour du Roi for panoramic vistas. For a change of scene, just outside the town is La vallée de l'Eure for walking and hiking in glorious nature.

Of course, another great highlight of this region is the Pont du Gard, a grand symbol of Roman engineering and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take a guided tour of this magnificent monument, follow the walking trail by the river, canoe beneath the aqueduct and enjoy atmospheric light shows on summer evenings.

Spend time pottering around picturesque French villages such as perched La Roque-sur-Cèze surrounded by vineyards, authentic Saint-Victor-la-Coste with its fortified château ruins and tiny Pouzilhac with its old ochre houses and cobblestone streets. Saint-Quentin-la-Poterie is just north of Uzès, the ceramics capital of France and home to enchanting lanes, pottery studios, galleries and La Musée de la Poterie Méditerranéenne.

Meanwhile, discover the many wineries and vineyards close to Uzès, part of the Languedoc-Roussillon wine growing region. From family-run estates and organic vineyards to large cooperatives, learn all about the great wines of the Pays d’Uzès and Côtes du Rhône.